The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

It is hence manifest what sin it is that the Apostle intends, namely, The actual sin of Adam; the one sin of that one common person whilst he was so. For although the corruption and depravation of our nature, doth necessarily ensue thereon, in every one that is brought forth actually in the World by Natural Generation; yet is it the guilt of Adams actual sin alone, that rendered them all obnoxious unto death upon the First entrance of sin into the World. So death entered by sin, the guilt of it, obnoxiousness unto it, and that with respect unto all Men universally.

It is hence manifest what sin it is that the Apostle intends, namely, The actual sin of Adam; the one sin of that one common person whilest he was so. For although the corruption and depravation of our nature, doth necessarily insue thereon, in every one that is brought forth actually in the World by Natural Generation; yet is it the guilt of Adams actual sin alone, that rendred them all obnoxious unto death upon the First entrance of sin into the World. So death entred by sin, the guilt of it, obnoxiousness unto it, and that with respect unto all Men universally.

Death here compriseth the whole punishment due unto sin, be it what it will, concerning which we need not here to dispute. The wages of sin is death, Rom. 6.23. and nothing else. Whatever sin deserves in the Justice of God. whatever punishment God at any time appointed or threatened unto it, it is comprised in death: In the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt die the death. This therefore the Apostle lays down as the foundation of his discourse, and of the comparison which he intends; namely, that in and by the actual sin of Adam, all Men are made liable unto death, or unto the whole punishment due unto sin. That is, the guilt of that sin is imputed unto them. For nothing is intended by the imputation of sin unto any, but the rendering them justly obnoxious unto the punishment due unto that sin. As the not imputing of sin, is the freeing of Men from being subject or liable unto punishment. And this sufficiently evidenceth the vanity of the Pelagian Gloss that Death passed upon all, merely by virtue of natural propagation from him who had deserved